Unit information: Foundations of Statistics in 2020/21

Unit name	Foundations of Statistics
Unit code	LANG00044
Credit points	20
Level of study	QCA-3
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Andersen
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	IELTS minimum 5.5 overall with a minimum of 5 in writing and 4.5 in all other components or equivalent Students should have the appropriate qualifications in Mathematics at the equivalent of QCA level 2
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Centre for Academic Language and Development
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Description including Unit Aims

The unit will develop students' understanding of statistical methods and using data to a level equivalent to QCA level 3. The unit will prepare students on the Foundation Programme for progression into higher level qualifications in science subjects that require a more advanced understanding of statistics.

Intended Learning Outcomes

By the end of the unit students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an understanding of and use elementary probability theory
2. demonstrate an understanding of the concept of a probability distribution
3. process data sets
4. test statistical hypotheses
5. interpret results of data sets and draw conclusions

Teaching Information

Students will attend 3 hours of study per week. Learning is facilitated in sessions involving a combination of teacher-led input, combined with practical, workshop-style exercises. On-line delivery of materials through Blackboard VLE.

Assessment Information

Formative Assessment:

• Regular problem sheets, with feedback provided during weekly seminars

Summative Assessment:

• Data analysis report (1,500 words) (30%) ILO 5
• Written examination (70%) ILOs 1, 2, 3, 4

Reading and References

Many textbooks cover the material taught in this unit, for example:

OpenIntro Statistics, D.M. Diez, C.D. Barr & M.C. Etinkaya-Rundel (Openintro 2015)

Further Reading

Stats Means Business: A Guide to Business Statistics,

John Buglear (Routledge 2001)

You may also find the following books helpful:

Even You Can Learn Statistics and Analytics: An Easy to Understand Guide to Statistics and Analytics, David F. Stephan and David M. Levine (PH Professional Business 2014)